DUI Lawyer San Ramon. DUI law in San Ramon is complex. Your ability to drive isn't the only thing at risk; criminal charges can result in prison, fines, and additional harsh penalties. Declining a breathalyzer or blood test on its own can result in charges, and that can even result in tougher penalties. And while the same CA law covers DUIs involving alcohol and other drugs, the defense strategies can be wildly different.
When you're up against the CA legal system, you need help from a DUI defense expert. Trying to defend yourself against the charges is a challenge nobody should have to face on their own, which is why the Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to defend you.
We are California's best DUI defense lawyers and have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. When you choose us, you're getting a team of experienced, high-quality lawyers who know how to fight for you in the San Ramon, CA, court system and get you the best outcome possible.
Take too long to start your defense, and you could miss your chance. Talk to a lawyer anytime, day or night, at (800) 755-5174 or tell us how we can help online to start building your defense strategy today.
San Ramon, CA, DUI Lawyer Traffic Stop Tips:
We'd all love to drive without any risk of being pulled over, but knowing what to do if you are in a traffic stop can help you avoid an arrest. Here are four tips from a San Ramon, CA, DUI Lawyer for you to help you get through any traffic stops unscathed:
Tip #1: Keep Your Documents Together
Keep your license, insurance card, and vehicle registration together and easily accessible. With an officer staring you down, asking for documents you may not have had to touch in months, it's easy to get flustered. When you're already prepared to give them to the officer, you avoid that risk.
Tip #2: Be Silent When Alcohol Is Smelled
If law enforcement asks how much you've had to drink tonight, you don't need to give them an answer. You have Fifth Amendment protections at all points in the legal process. Protect yourself by keeping quiet until your lawyer arrives.
Tip #3: Refuse Voluntary Tests
Participation in field sobriety tests is not required for people over the age of 21 who aren't on probation. This doesn't stop the officer from arresting you, but can decrease your chances of having this happen. However, you cannot legally refuse a BAC test once you are in custody, without losing your driving privileges.
Tip #4: Don't Argue With the Officer
Acting belligerent and uncooperative won't improve your case — it will likely be something you regret. This isn't just something you're doing out of courtesy, though; it also helps your defense: Any time you open your mouth, whether or not the police asked you a question, you are giving the police more evidence, which can be used against you.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in San Ramon?
California DUI Law allows an officer to arrest you independant of your blood alcohol concentration, or even if you refuse to be tested at all. California allows the police to make a call about whether or not you were driving impaired regardless of your alcohol level, probably using field sobriety tests, then arrest you based on their evaluation of you.
As soon as you're arrested, the CA legal system will proceed with both a license suspension and criminal charges. In most DUI cases, here's how things will progress:
- Suspension: Your license suspension can begin as soon as you're arrested – right away, you will be given a 30-day, temporary license, while the officer will keep your regular license. While you're processing this, the police are ensuring that the arrest is added to your DMV record, which means your license is officially suspended.
- Arraignment: Before you are released, you will be summoned to a court hearing, and a prosecutor will list out the laws you're accused of breaking.
- DMV Hearing: Independant of the criminal charge process, you'll need to set up an administrative hearing with the DMV within 10 days to fight the suspension.
- Pretrial Motions: In most DUI cases, you'll be released in some capacity pending a trial. Between your potential release and the trial, your San Ramon DUI defense lawyer will file motions to strengthen your defense, such as ones to suppress unlawfully collected evidence, and a "blood split" motion to get a second test for your blood sample.
- Negotiations With the Prosecutor: Inbetween pretrial motions, your DUI defense attorney will communicate with the San Ramon prosecutor to avoid a trial with a plea deal that protects you. But if you do have to fight the charges in a trial, your attorney should be building a defense now.
- Criminal Trial: Outside of extraordinary circumstances, it's rare for a DUI case to go to trial, but just in case it does, our team always crafts a trial-ready defense.
- Sentencing/Sealing: Depending on the outcome of your case, you may face penalties. However, if you are found not guilty or enough time has passed, you can explore record clearing options with our lawyers.
Our DUI legal experts can provide you with advice on the best way to move forward, on both the criminal defense and license side. If you need help today, give us a call so that we can help!
San Ramon DUI Allegations and Criminal Cases vs. DMV Hearings
San Ramon, CA, DUI charges can be twice as complicated as some other charges, because of their two-sided nature: The criminal case and the DMV case. Different CA organizations cover each of these aspects, but both cases can be fought by the same DUI defense lawyer.
Here are things to watch out for with both cases, and how we fight to protect your freedom and license:
San Ramon, CA, DUI Criminal Charges
Allegedly violating DUI laws will result in criminal charges, for which you will need to go through the CA legal system.
Criminal cases, including DUIs, all follow the same basic process – after an arrest, you're formally charged in an arraignment, go through pretrial motions/negotiations, and can eventually go to trial.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we listen to your side of the story and dissect the charges. We'll deconstruct the traffic stop, display flaws in the officer's analysis, look for faults in laboratory examinations, and search for other witnesses or evidence that can tell a different story.
We know what it takes to keep DUI defense clients out of jail in San Ramon, CA. Commonly, we'll work out a plea for reduced charges, typically to a wet reckless, exhibition of speed, or reckless driving charge. We'll also argue for probation to maintain your freedom.
San Ramon, CA, DUI License Suspension
Meanwhile, you need to worry about the DMV and your license suspension. This suspension is automatically applied, and to effectively fight it, you'll need to request an administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested.
It's typical for the criminal case to be, by and large, separate from the DMV hearing. In fact, your license can still be suspended even if you do not receive a criminal conviction. Instead, the entire DMV hearing is about whether or not you were rightfully arrested, if your BAC was at or above 0.08, the legal limit, or, if you refused to blow, whether or not you were properly informed of the consequences. When you work with a San Ramon, CA, DUI lawyer from our firm, we'll question the legitimacy of the stop, the arrest, and the BAC reading.
If the tenth day since the arrest has passed, though, the suspension is probably hear to stay. Outside of rare cases, you don't get another chance to set up that hearing. This is why it's vital to contact a San Ramon DUI defense lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest.
DUI Punishments in San Ramon
San Ramon, CA, DUI criminal penalties are intimidating – even though some are misdemeanors, you're still facing a year in jail, or six months for a first offense.
On this table, you can review the different penalties you could be facing, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense:
| DUI Criminal Charge | Jail/Prison Time | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First Time DUI | 48 Hours to 6 Months | Up to $1,000 |
| Second Time DUI | 96 Hours to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Third Time DUI | 120 Days to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| Fourth Time DUI (Felony) | 16 Months to 3 Years | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Injury (Felony) | Up to 4 Years | Up to $5,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Misdemeanor) | Up to 1 Year | Up to $1,000 |
| DUI Manslaughter (Felony) | 4, 6 or 10 Years | Up to $10,000 |
You'll also be facing significant collateral consequences, such as rising insurance rates and roadblocks when applying for professional licenses.
DUIs and Immigration
DUI immigration consequences have the potential to be life-altering. The level of impact often depends on how many prior offenses are on your record. First-time alleged DUIs don't typically result in deportation. The bad news is that if you have faced DUI charges before, you can qualify for deportation. What's worse, if H.R.875 passes, any DUI can result in removal from the country. If you are trying to become an American citizen, even if you aren't deported, it can indefinitely pause your efforts to become a citizen.
If you're a United States immigrant facing a DUI, you need to stay in the country and contact a San Ramon, CA, immigration lawyer immediately. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, can provide assistance with all of your legal needs, not just against criminal accusations: We'll explore diversion programs that will protect you from the harshest outcomes, fight to keep you in the country, and guide you through your citizenship application.
After the Case: Expungement/Sealing
After the case, regardless of the outcome, odds are, you'll want to leave it in the past and move forward with your life. However, your arrest and/or criminal record doesn't go away easily. Depending on your case outcome, you may be eligible to either expunge or seal your records. Fortunately, if you're in San Ramon, CA, our DUI lawyers will also fight to protect you in this way, and give you a path to clean your record.
Top DUI Defense Attorneys in San Ramon: What You Need to Know
When you're facing DUI charges, it's critical to pick the right lawyer to represent you. Your team needs the skills, experience, and connections to give you opportunities for a positive outcome for your case. Here are the main things to look for in your San Ramon, CA, DUI defense lawyer:
- Experience: If possible, both defending against charges and as government agents. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, you will work with a team of attorneys including former judges, prosecutors, and police, totalling over five decades of experience.
- Availability: You shouldn't need to wait till 9 AM on Monday to contact an attorney. You can get a hold of us 24/7.
- Relationships: You need connections to get a good plea deal. We have experience working with the prosecutors in San Ramon and all throughout CA.
- Reputation: Not just with clients and friends, but also amongst their peers. We are proud of our reputation with former clients and to be recognized as the top DUI lawyer in California.
- Track Record of Success: At the end of the day, results matter. And our results are great. In fact, 95% of our DUI cases result in no jail time.
Our recent DUI Case results speak for themselves. If you're ready to join our list of successes, call now.
DUI Case Types We Take On in San Ramon
It doesn't matter what kind of DUI you're facing in San Ramon, CA – our DUI defense team is prepared stand by you against the charges.
Below, you can review a list of the DUI allegations we typically defend:
- Boating Under the Influence
- Breathalyzer Test
- Commercial Driver CDL DUI
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
- DMV Hearing Defense
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving Without a License
- Driving Without Insurance
- Drug DUI
- Drunk in Public
- DUI Alcohol
- DUI Accident Defense
- DUI and Professional Licenses in California
- DUI Blood Test Defense
- DUI Causing Injury
- DUI Checkpoint Defense Attorney
- DUI Defense Costs
- DUI Expungement in California
- DUI Immigration Consequences
- DUI in Construction Zones and School Zones
- DUI License Reinstatement
- DUI Probation Violation
- DUI Process – What to Expect
- DUI Marijuana
- DUI Prescription Drugs
- DUI Refusal Cases
- DUI Trial – Jury Trial Defense
- DUI Penalties
- DUI with Child Passenger
- Evasion
- Exhibition of Speed
- Felony DUI
- Field Sobriety Tests
- First-Time DUI
- Fourth DUI Felony Escalation
- Hit and Run
- Hit and Run DUI
- Hit and Run with Injury or Death
- Ignition Interlock Device Violations
- Illegal Traffic Stop – Probable Cause Defense
- Medical Conditions as a Defense to DUI
- Misdemeanor vs Felony DUI Overview
- Mouth Alcohol Defense to DUI
- Out-of-State DUI
- Public Intoxication
- Reckless Driving
- Rising Blood Alcohol Defense
- Street Racing
- Second Time DUI
- Third DUI California
- Title 17 Violation of Breath and Blood Test Procedures Defense
- Underage DUI
- Watson Murder / DUI Murder
- Wet Reckless
DUI Defense Tactics in San Ramon, CA
When you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, your San Ramon, CA, DUI attorney will draw from years of experience with effective defense strategies. When fighting cases, here are some of the possible defenses we'll use.
Contest the Legality of the Traffic Stop
If law enforcement made a mistake while conducting their investigation, we can argue for your case to be dismissed. This defense is relevant if, for example, the police officer pulled you over without probable cause, the entire traffic stop could be made invalid.
Show Issues With Blood, Breath, and/or Urine Tests
Fighting against chemical tests can be difficult, but a skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to look for flaws in them. We will highlight the ways that these tests can give false readings, retest in some cases, using a "blood-split" motion, and highlight any errors in the chain of custody.
Challenge Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests, like 'horizontal gaze nystagmus,' are a normal part of the process when police are evaluating if someone is driving intoxicated or not. But these tests are subjective. Our attorneys will review the footage and point out situations where law enforcement unfairly failed our clients on these tests.
Explain BAC With Medical Conditions
Maybe there were no mistakes with your blood, breath, or urine test, and your BAC was .08 or higher. This may sound bad, but it's not the end of your case. If you have a medical condition like diabetes, we can use that to help provide an alternate explanation to elevated BAC levels.
Get Rapid Assistance – Speak With Our San Ramon DUI Defense Attorneys NOW
If you've been arrested or accused of a DUI in San Ramon, CA, it can be a whirlwind of legal processes. You lose your license, there could be interrogations, you get a court date…it's easy to be out of control. With everything going on, your best way out is to call aSan Ramon, CA, DUI attorney immediately.
Don't give the state a chance to put you behind bars. Don't let your license go without a fight. Don't just hope it will all just go away. Hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley to protect you.
We're experts at defending all San Ramon, CA DUI charges. We're ready to take on your case today and will begin protecting your license and keep you out of jail today. Speak with a lawyer now at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation case review.
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